Can you guess the nation’s worst dirty cleaning secrets?

Written by Verity Mann | 31 March 2016

According to research carried out by Method, 25% of people say their cleaner is more important to them than their doctor, dentist or hygienist...

Hands up if you've ever grabbed a top from the laundry bin because you're running low on clean clothes. You're not alone! According to a survey by Method, which surveyed 1,000 18-40 year olds across the UK, one in five of us wear clothes taken straight from the dirty laundry pile.

Brits also admit to buying new clothes to avoid the dreaded ironing pile and one in eight clean their bathroom less than once every six months, while one in six wash bed sheets just as infrequently.

So what is it that puts people off cleaning? According to the research, a massive 90% said it’s down to lack of time with over a third attributing this to spending too much time at work.

While the research reveals we’re far from squeaky clean, encouragingly we do like to have fun when we can’t avoid the chores, with music motivating a quarter of us to clean. We also maintain a certain element of pride in the state of our home - over a quarter of people say they tidy up when they know they have guests coming over.

Clare Burke, UK Marketing Manager at Method, comments on the research findings, 'As modern life becomes increasingly hectic it’s not surprising that we’re continually inventing clever shortcuts to save time and get away with doing as little as possible. Employing a cleaner is a great solution to those working long hours and our research proves how important they are to people today.'

Britain’s top 10 most surprising dirty little secrets1. Running out of clean underwear and going commando2. Using a hairdryer to dust3. Noticing a lipstick stain on a 'clean' wine glass + wiping it off with a finger4. Leaving the bed sheets for more than six months before washing them5. Following the five second rule and eating food that has fallen on the floor6. Eating from the same plate at dinner that was used at lunchtime7. Never washing hands before eating8. Hiding mess away in cupboards rather than cleaning up9. Buying new clothes to avoid doing the ironing10. Cleaning the house in the nude